Learn · Unit 5 of 9
Madd letters: alif, waw and yaa
Up to now every letter has been a consonant with a vowel on it. These three letters have a second job. When they carry no vowel of their own and follow the matching short vowel, they stop sounding and stretch instead.
The 3 letters that make long vowels
| Letter | Name | Must follow | Reads as | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ا | alif | a fatha | a long a | مَا |
| و | waw | a damma | a long u | يُو |
| ي | yaa | a kasra | a long i | عِي |
The pairing is not optional and it is the whole rule. A waw after a fatha is not a madd, it is a consonant. A yaa after a damma is not a madd either. Only the matching pair stretches.
How long is the stretch?
About two counts, at whatever pace you are reciting. Counting is a teaching device, not a measurement: what matters is that the two counts stay the same length everywhere in your reading. Unit 8 covers the signs that mark longer stretches of four to six counts, and unit 9 names the rule families they belong to.
3 real words to read
نَسۡتَعِينُ
A kasra on the ayn, then a yaa with no vowel of its own: the i sound stretches for about two counts.
يُولَدۡ
A damma on the yaa, then a waw with no vowel: the u sound stretches.
مَا
A fatha on the mim, then a bare alif: the a sound stretches. Alif can only ever follow a fatha.
Check yourself
What makes a waw a madd letter rather than a consonant?
It has to carry no vowel of its own and the letter before it has to carry a damma. Any other combination is a consonant waw.
Can alif ever be a consonant?
Not on its own. A bare alif on the line is either a lengthener or the seat that a hamza is written on.
How is this different from a short vowel?
Only in length. The sound is the same; the madd letter holds it for about twice as long.
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These lessons cover reading mechanics only. For recitation itself, learn with a teacher; text can show you the rules, not your own voice.
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